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242NewsBahamas - COVID-19 Update - Part 2
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Coronavirus: Pandemic is 'accelerating', WHO warns as cases pass 300,000
The WHO chief urged the G20 group of nations to boost production of protective equipment
It took 67 days from the first reported of Covid-19 to reach 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000, and just four days for the third 100,000.
But WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was still possible to "change the trajectory".
He urged countries to adopt rigorous testing and contact-tracing strategies. Read more >>
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US surgeon general warns 'this week, it's going to get bad' as hospitals struggle to keep up with new coronavirus cases
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams
(CNN)The war against coronavirus has intensified across the country as more workers are laid off, medical supplies dwindle and states enact new rules to get Americans to stay home.
"I want America to understand -- this week, it's going to get bad," US Surgeon General Jerome Adams told NBC's "Today" show Monday.
"We really, really need everyone to stay at home. I think that there are a lot of people who are doing the right things, but ... we're finding out a lot of people think this can't happen to them."
More than 42,000 people in the United States have been infected with coronavirus, and at least 515 people have died. Read more >>
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Breaking News: Pm Announces 24-Hour Curfew – Essential Travel Only
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis
The Prime Minister's speech in full:
“My Fellow Bahamians and Residents:
Good evening.
The COVID-19 virus and threat that the world and The Bahamas are facing is a matter of life and death.
While most people who contract the virus will recover, many have died and many more will die around the world.
More than fifteen thousand people have died around the world so far.
What is frightening is that we do not know how many people will suffer from the virus and how many will die.
This virus is so serious and so potentially dangerous for some, that people are dying in large numbers in the richest, the most powerful and the more developed countries in the world.
In the worst hit places they announce hundreds of deaths per day – with the highest toll so far being near 800 dead in one day in a country in Europe.
Those countries have more resources than The Bahamas.
Yet, they are having the greatest difficulty fighting this virus.
We cannot afford to let this deadly and dangerous virus spread widely in our country. If we do we will have many deaths.
But let me tell you what we do possess as a country, what we are doing and what we must do, together!
We have tried to act earlier and more decisively than a number of other countries.
But, we should have no false sense of security. Read more >>
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Have I already had coronavirus? How would I know and what should I do?
By Danielle Renwick
Covid-19 symptoms vary widely, and undertesting in many countries means that many people may have already had the coronavirus without having received a positive diagnosis. Is it possible to find out, and how should you behave if you think you may have been infected? Read more >>
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Manu Dibango: African saxophone legend dies of Covid-19
Manu Dibango
Dibango – best known for his 1972 song Soul Makossa– is one of the first global stars to die from Covid-19.
The 86-year-old fused jazz and funk music with traditional sounds from his home country, Cameroon.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove,” a statement on his official Facebook page read.
His funeral will take place in “strict privacy”, the statement read, asking instead for people to send condolences by email and adding that a tribute will be arranged “when possible”. Read more >>
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Homeless, vulnerable have mixed feelings on Coronavirus pandemic
Henry Sweeting, 47, has been homeless for over a decade and said he often sleeps in an abandoned car or building.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some of the homeless and panhandlers, who are among the most vulnerable of dwellers in The Bahamas, expressed mixed feelings yesterday about their risk of exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Henry Sweeting, 47, a former janitor, said after he lost his job and his wife, he fell on hard times.
He turned to drugs and found himself on the streets, where he has remained for over a decade.
He said he does not believe the Coronavirus is real, but a government conspiracy.
“I am going through substance abuse; drowning stress,” he said, leaning against an empty trailer as he spoke. Read more >>
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‘COVID-19 Could Lead to Recession’
Gowon Bowe - Finacial expert
Fidelity Bank and Trust Chief Financial Officer Gowon Bowe said if the covid-19 situation continues for six months, The Bahamas can expect an economic recession.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Peter Turnquest said the country is already starting to feel the impact of covid-19 as cruise ship arrivals are on a 30-day hiatus, hotel occupancies have fallen, and hotel workers are being asked to take unpaid or vacation leave.
As a result, Bowe said Bahamians can expect a decline in the economy. Read more >>
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DEHS disinfecting to limit spread of COVID-19
Video circulating reportedly show ongoing government disinfection exercise.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Department of Environmental Health Services announced yesterday that it has embarked on a disinfecting exercise, as a preventive measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A video circulating on social media, show men on trucks, spraying roads and sidewalks with liquid.
“The cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces such as roads and sidewalks followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 throughout the communities,” said Melony McKenzie, director of the DEHS.
McKenzie noted that the disinfectant sprayed from the hypo machines, is “not harmful to pedestrians or motorists”.
The exercise is being carried out by a team of 12 on rotation, between the hours of 8.30pm to 1am until March 31, 2020; and thereafter if necessary. Read more >>
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Get 'Game Changer' Industries To Reduce External Vulnerability
Raymond Winder
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
Commonwealth Bank's president says the COVID-19 pandemic fall-out has again exposed the urgency for The Bahamas to attract "game changer" industries that will diversify its economy.
Raymond Winder told Tribune Business that this nation had done little to mitigate its vulnerability to external shocks in the two decades since he was Chamber of Commerce president, and the 2002 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) report that ranked The Bahamas as fourth most expose to such events.
"It hasn't changed," he told Tribune Business, "and now we finally get to see it played out based on the fact we are so tied to one specific industry, tourism, and the implications of not having sufficient tourists coming to our properties for the next two to three months in terms of the impact on our economy.
"Once again we need to be reminded of that, and how critical it is to create and attract new types of investors into our country. It was critical back in 2001-2003, and it's just as critical now that we do all we can to diversify our economy." Read more >>
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Abaco: Back To Ground Zero
Ken Hutton
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the island's post-Dorian recovery has been plunged "back to ground zero" by the COVID-19 crisis, adding: "We're on our own again."
Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that the emergency nationwide lockdown announced by the Government to curb the pandemic's spread had worsened Abaco's existing labour shortages by provoking workers to return home.
With the world and Nassau's attention firmly focused on combating the virus, Mr Hutton voiced fears that international assistance would dry up - especially since all non-governmental (NGO) and relief agencies had now departed Abaco in response to the pandemic.
He suggested that the island is being forced to "take a back seat, if not being pushed out of the car altogether" by COVID-19, but is likely to have been satisfied by the Prime Minister's decision last night to effectively close The Bahamas' borders to inbound and outbound passenger traffic. Read more >>
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‘It’S Not Been This Bad In 30 Years’
Darrin Woods
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
The hotel union’s president yesterday estimated up to 15,000 resort workers and their families have been hit by the wave of industry closures, and said: “I’ve never seen it this bad in 30 years.”
Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) chief, told Tribune Business that this nation’s tourism-based economy had “come to a screeching halt” amid a pandemic that has seen countries close their borders to international travel.
Speaking after a weekend that saw Atlantis “temporarily” lay-off staff across all departments for four weeks, Baha Mar do similar for all “non-essential staff” and Sandals confirm the closure of its two Bahamian resorts from month’s end until May 15, the union president argued: “The only silver lining is that it can’t get any worse than this.”
Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told this newspaper that its projection that direct and associated tourism lay-offs will take the national Bahamian unemployment rate to between 25 percent to 30 percent was “probably right”. Read more >>
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Online learning websites that'll level you up during the coronavirus lockdown
By Sukhbir Cheema
The coronavirus might have cast a spanner in the works for many people including businesses and organizations.
Because of the virus, also known as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), close to a billion people have been forced to remain indoors in 35 countries worldwide.
With many of us not allowed to head outdoors, the best thing to do is to take advantage the current situation by leveling yourself up. Here's how you can do it through these online learning websites. Read more >>
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How To Make A Face Mask That Is Effective Against Coronavirus
Here are DIY tutorials for homemade masks that protect against COVID-19, whether you're wearing a mask yourself or donating to hospitals.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, face masks are in huge demand right now. Millions of masks are needed, and you can help.
When asked to address a nationwide shortage of face masks on Saturday, the White House wasn’t able to say when more health care workers across the country would be provided with more protective masks.
Designer Christian Siriano of “Project Runway” fame has offered to pitch in by lending his resources to produce masks, and crafters are contributing with helpful tutorials and patterns that are useful for both hospital donations and personal use.
If you’ve got a sewing machine, this is one way you may be able to help out. Read more >>
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Coronavirus Crash: Buy These 3 Stocks If You Want to Get Rich
Patient investors who give these high-quality businesses the proper time to shine should see their portfolios balloon in value.
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Some people just won't stay home during a pandemic. Six reasons may explain why
By Scottie Andrew, CNN
(CNN)Living through a pandemic is strange. Most of us have never been asked to make sacrifices like this before -- staying home and limiting contact with others.
All that disruption can make people anxious. And for some, that includes ignoring the novel coronavirus altogether and carrying on as though it's business as usual.
Despite repeated pleas from public health and government officials to stay home and slow the spread of Covid-19, many people just won't.
Spring breakers crowding beaches. Shoppers packed in grocery store aisles. Older adults refusing to skip church.
Why won't some people take the threat seriously?
Psychologists say there are a handful of reasons -- and most of them come down to human nature. Read more >>
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Govt to begin $20M small business loan program tomorrow
SBDC Executive Director Davinia Grant
The Access Accelerator/Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) will soon begin distributing the $20 million allocated to it for small businesses impacted economically by the country’s shutdown because of coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a press statement from the SBDC.
The Business Continuity Loan Program officially launches on Wednesday.
The program will require those eligible to agree to retain 51 percent of their staff and have their credit information shared with the credit bureau and other banking and financial institutions.
“It will provide loans to small businesses – facilitated through partnerships with financial institutions – ranging from $5,000 to $300,000 to cover operating costs,” the statement noted. Read more >>
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Commissioner: You Should Call 311 Before Leaving Home In Curfew
Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE Commissioner Anthony Ferguson wants Bahamians to call 311 before leaving their homes during the 24-hour curfew that began today.
Failing to do so may get you stopped and turned around, he told The Tribune Tuesday morning.
He insisted that residents, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds and neighbourhoods, will be treated equally during the curfew and said he would be “disappointed” if officers let biases influence their willingness to grant people’s requests.
“Nobody will be disadvantaged with any of their requests. We try to deal with everybody fairly, no this for that one and that for the next,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said the 311 number has 12 lines and can handle the anticipated surge in calls. Read more >>
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Public Hospitals Authority - Blood Donations Urgently Needed
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AG: 24-hour may be extended for another 30 days
AG Carl Bethel
By Rachel Knowles
“The medical professionals have already urged at least a 30-day extension,” he said.
“And a resolution is before the House of Assembly. The House has adjourned to the 30th with the intention that this will be the matter that they will debate and pass on the 30th.
“…The government is in full consultation with the opposition. They now appreciate the importance of adhering to the best medical advice. If that medical advice says that we need to have an extension of the curfew, then I’m sure that the House will unanimously support and implement that recommendation.”
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis on Monday night ordered a 24-hour national curfew and the closure of airports, docks, ports, and beaches throughout the country with certain exceptions. Read more >>
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